NIGERIA

Nigerian police have raided the premises in the south-eastern city of Aba, following a report that pregnant teenage girls are being forced to produce babies, which would be used later for rituals or other purposes.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to begin for his first full term on Sunday amid high expectations that he will usher reforms and try to heal regional rifts, Reuters reported.

U.S. oil prices were well off early highs on Friday after data showed U.S. home sales plunged in April, adding to the latest crop of weak economic signals, and wiping away most of the day's early gains sparked by a weaker dollar.

Unlike immigrants from Europe and Asia, most Africans in the New World have little or no detailed accounts of their ancestors’ lives and histories.

In a budge to deepen its economic ties with Africa, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is on a six days long visit to Africa from Monday. India, trying to emerge from the shadow of rival China by is offering $5 billion to help the continent rich with minerals and commodities, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Brent crude oil dipped below $124 a barrel on Tuesday as the dollar rose from a three-year low and traders weighed the impact on the market of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's death.

Oil rose above $124 a barrel on Monday, pushed higher by an escalation of violence in the oil-producing Middle East and post-election unrest in OPEC member Nigeria.

Stocks were little changed on Monday as investors digested gains from a slew of recent strong earnings reports, while Wall Street was set for a choppy, low volume day with major European markets closed.

Wall Street stocks looked set to open near three-year highs on Monday after strong earnings, although traders eyed rising oil prices in what was likely to be a slow session, with major European markets closed.

Upward momentum from a raft of recent strong earnings reports helped lift U.S. stock index futures on Monday, although traders eyed rising oil prices as a potential negative for the market.

Upward momentum from a raft of recent strong earnings reports helped lift U.S. stocks futures on Monday, although traders eyed rising oil prices as a potential negative for the market.

The re-election of Goodluck Jonathan as president of Nigeria has led to dozens of killings and thousands of people leaving their homes, according to the Red Cross.

Nigeria saw riots in the northern region after incumbent Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner of the presidential elections.

Brent and U.S. crude fell more than $1.50 a barrel on Tuesday in on concerns demand may wane on high fuel prices and after Goldman Sachs advised investors to lock-in trading profits before oil and other commodity markets reverse.

Long-term commodity bull Goldman Sachs warned clients on Monday to lock-in trading profits before oil and other markets reverse, with the bank's estimates suggesting speculators are boosting crude prices as much as $27 a barrel.

Oil prices slumped on Monday, pulling back from 32-month peaks on concerns about high prices eroding demand and threatening economic recovery as investors eyed attempts to halt Libya's conflict.

Brent crude jumped nearly 3 percent to a 32-month high above $126 on Friday and U.S. oil scaled $112 a barrel as commodities climbed on a weaker dollar and after attacks on Libyan oil fields made long-term supply cuts more likely.

Brent crude jumped to a 32-month high above $125 on Friday as commodities climbed in unison on a weaker dollar after attacks on Libyan oil fields made long-term supply cuts more likely.

Oil hit a 32-month high above $124 Friday after attacks on Libyan oil fields raised the prospect of long-term supply cuts, with commodities in general rising on optimism global economic recovery will fuel demand.

Oil hit a 32-month high near $125 on Friday after attacks on Libyan oil fields raised the prospect of long-term supply cuts, with commodities in general rising on optimism global economic recovery will fuel demand.

Oil climbed to its highest level in 2- years on Friday as supply cuts stemming from attacks on Libyan oil fields offset demand concerns spurred by a major aftershock in Japan.